Sakamoto Ryoma
Sakamoto Ryōma 坂本 龍馬 (a.k.a. Saitani Umetarō 才谷 梅太郎 - for his work against the Shogunate)
Now is the time for us to act. Soon we must decide on our direction, whether it lead to pandemonium or paradise.Sakamoto-san was a political activist just before the Meiji Restoration, one of the most turbulent times in Japanese history--but crucial to modern Japan. Ranking as one of the top three of Japan's favorite historical figures, he's often referred to in modern politics as a person to emulate. He dreamed of a Japan that had no caste system or feudal structure, where every man was equal.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Anything can be accomplished if you take responsibility for doing at least 80 percent to 90 percent of it yourself. Pass the remaining 10-20 percent of responsibility on to others and give them all the credit.
Why Sakamoto Involved Himself in Politics
The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 left lasting dissatisfaction for several clans in the West and set up the Shogunate as the acting government, even over the emperor.
In the late 1800s, anti-Shogunate sentiment grew fast. While Sakamoto studied swordsmanship in Edo (the old name for Tokyo), Commodore Perry and the black ships forced their way into Japan's ports. The treaties the Shogunate signed were bad for Japan and only increased the people's negative view of the current government.
Swept up in the time's politics, he desired to make Japan modernized and dreamt of equality for his countrymen. Sakamoto turned out to be one of the most influential political figures, not only in the Meiji Era but the whole history Japan. Despite never holding office, his political actions had lasting ramifications.
Timeline
Sakamoto left and became a ronin before the group assassinated Yoshida Toyo.
Sakamoto ended up working under Katsu and became his protege. Katsu convinced Sakamoto that Japan needed military might and a long-term plan to deal with the West.
I want to wash Japan clean.
Sakamoto's Role in Liminal Chronicles
Yes, he was a real historical figure. We will get a peek at him in the historical journals of one of the main characters.Personality Characteristics
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Likes & Dislikes
Virtues & Personality perks
I don't expect that I'll be around too long. But I'm not about to die like any average person either. I'm only prepared to die when big changes finally come, when even if I continue to live I will no longer be of any use to the country. But since I'm fairly shifty, I'm not likely to die so easily.
But seriously, although I was born a mere potato digger in Tosa, a nobody, I'm destined to bring about great changes in the nation. But I'm definitely not going to get puffed up about it. Quite the contrary! I'm going to keep my nose to the ground, like a clam in the mud. So don't worry about me!
Vices & Personality flaws
It's a shame that there aren't more men like me around the country.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Takechi Hanpeita (from the Tosa domain Sonnou Joui)
Katsu Kaishuu (his mentor)
Nakaoka Shintarou (died alongside Sakamoto)
I like how you have done this using a timeline. That's a neat way of doing it. Personally, I'd maybe include some pictures, artistic interpretations of events he partook in etc. I'd say the one thing I'd like to see is.... who was he as a person? What led him to take an active role in politics? The lay-out is very neat, but it feels a little impersonal, I'd love to know more about... him. Who and what he was before his achievements, why go through so much?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I'll do what I can to do just that! <3